Browse all

run past

B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To quickly tell someone your idea to see what they think about it

Literal meaning: To run past someone in a physical sense — the figurative sense extends this to passing information by someone

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To present an idea or piece of information to someone in order to get their reaction or approval

"Can I run this proposal past you before I send it to the client?"

Grammar: separable
2 A2 neutral

To move physically past a person or place while running

"She ran past the finish line without even realising she had won."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Very common in business and office contexts. Often used with 'quickly': 'let me just run this past you'. The person whose opinion is sought is the object of the preposition.

Commonly used with

idea plan proposal boss team lawyer

Forms

Base
run past
I/you/we/they
3rd person
runs past
he/she/it
Past simple
ran past
yesterday
Past participle
run past
have + pp
-ing form
running past
continuous

Understand "run past" better

Try:

Real video examples

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

Want to master this phrasal verb?

Practice "run past" on Looplines